Gray had worked as an instructor at the Windham Mountain Ski Resort in New York, which is where the annual event is held.

The Grays say they want the event to inspire a love of skiing in its participants.

One such enthusiast, Jose Morales, has never skied before. Along with his instructor, he is learning to use a monoski, a seated one-ski device that requires immense upper-body strength.

Last July, Morales was climbing a tree near his home in Trumbell to grab a loose branch when he fell, breaking his spine. After three months in the hospital, the father of three returned home to adjust to his new wheelchair-bound life.

Morales says that, with the help of his wife and supporters, his day on the slopes was successful, as he was able to not only break in his new monoski, but also break down mental barriers.

Since Morales' first outing, he has already hit the slopes several more times.